Lafayette officer injured by suspects’ vehicle

Lafayette officer injured by suspects’ vehicle

A police officer investigating a shoplifting incident early Wednesday at the Walmart Supercenter at 3142 Ambassador Caffery Parkway was injured after being stuck twice and dragged by the suspects’ vehicle, the Lafayette Police Department announced.

The officer had already detained two suspects and was told their accomplices were waiting in a dark 4-door mid-size vehicle in the parking lot, according to a press release.

As the officer approached the vehicle, a female suspect got back into the vehicle. As the vehicle backed up, the officer was struck by the front of the vehicle, knocking him to the ground. The vehicle then drove forward, striking the officer a second time, causing the officer to grab hold to the vehicle and get dragged for approximately 100 feet before he released and fired two shots at the vehicle.

The suspects were seen fleeing the area. The officer was transported to an area hospital with moderate injuries.

Detectives are interviewing the two suspects that were detained and reviewing surveillance video in an attempt to identify the suspects.